The renovation works on the movable part of the Europe Bridge have impacts on both road and waterway traffic. For the contractor, the works on the movable part pose quite a challenge. The lifting mechanism requires a balanced weight distribution to raise the bridge. Therefore, before putting it into operation, two weighing moments need to be performed, during which passage over the bridge for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians will be impossible for about half an hour each time.
Three half-hour bridge interruptions on Monday, April 8
To facilitate the weighings, special jacks will be placed under the four corners of the lift bridge on Monday, April 8. It will be raised at three different times for half an hour each, and passage will be closed for all road users. The interruptions are scheduled from 10 am to 10:30 am, from 12 pm to 12:30 pm, and from 2 pm to 2:30 pm.
During the closures of the passage over the Europe Bridge, significant traffic disruptions are expected. Pre-signaling on the roads leading to Vilvoorde will divert traffic to alternative routes via the Brussels Ring or Verbrande Brug to cross the canal. Motorists in Vilvoorde should expect possible long waiting times. Cyclists and pedestrians can use the Salangaan Bridge during the interruptions of the Europe Bridge.
Next temporary closure of the Europe Bridge on Wednesday, April 17
On Wednesday, April 17, two necessary weighings will take place so that the lift bridge can be used again on April 18 and 19 to allow larger cargo ships through. Therefore, anticipate traffic disruptions again on Wednesday, April 17. Passage over the Europe Bridge will be closed twice for half an hour each that day. The first closure will be between 1 pm and 2 pm, and the second closure will be between 3 pm and 5 pm.
This regime will normally repeat every two weeks with a double weighing operation of the lift bridge on Wednesdays, during which passage over the bridge will be temporarily closed for everyone.
The next dates and exact times after April 17 with disruptions due to the weighing moments, and thus the closure for road traffic of the Europe Bridge, will be communicated as soon as they are made known by the Work Association.
For more information, please visit heldenpleinvilvoorde.be.